Frequently Asked Questions

We accept virtually all standard wood pallets regardless of size, condition, or grade. This includes GMA 48x40 pallets, 42x42, 48x48, 48x45, and custom sizes. We also accept broken, damaged, and non-repairable pallets — these are dismantled and the lumber is reclaimed for other uses or ground into mulch and biomass fuel. The only pallets we cannot accept are those contaminated with hazardous chemicals, treated with creosote, or infested with active pest populations. If you are unsure whether your pallets qualify, contact us and our team will help you determine the best disposal option.

Our recycling process follows a five-step workflow designed for maximum resource recovery. First, we collect pallets from your location using our fleet of flatbed trucks. Second, every pallet is individually inspected and sorted by size, condition, and grade. Third, pallets in good condition are cleaned and prepared for direct resale. Fourth, damaged but repairable pallets go to our repair line where skilled technicians replace broken boards and reinforce stringers to meet NWPCA standards. Fifth, pallets beyond repair are dismantled — usable lumber is reclaimed for new pallet construction, and the remainder is processed into mulch, animal bedding, or biomass fuel. Our goal is zero waste: nothing from our facility goes to the landfill.

Stringer pallets use two or three parallel boards (stringers) running along the length of the pallet to support the deck boards. They are the most common type in North America, used for about 85% of all pallets. Stringer pallets can be 2-way entry (forklift access from two sides only) or 4-way entry (when stringers are notched). The standard GMA 48x40 pallet is a notched stringer pallet. Block pallets use nine blocks (small cubes of solid wood or composite material) positioned at the corners, sides, and center to support the deck boards and stringer boards. They provide true 4-way entry without notching, making them stronger and more compatible with automated material handling equipment. Block pallets are standard in Europe (EPAL/EUR pallets) and are used by PECO in North America. They cost more to manufacture but offer better racking performance and longer service life.

Our primary service area covers the entire greater Phoenix metropolitan area, including Goodyear, Avondale, Buckeye, Litchfield Park, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, and surrounding communities. We also serve the broader Arizona region including Tucson, Flagstaff, Prescott, Yuma, and other cities throughout the state. For locations outside the Phoenix metro area, minimum quantities and delivery fees may vary. We regularly work with businesses across the entire state and can arrange special logistics for large orders regardless of location. Contact us with your specific location and we will provide a delivery quote.

Yes, we buy and sell plastic pallets in addition to wood pallets. We carry HDPE (high-density polyethylene) and polypropylene pallets in standard sizes. Plastic pallets are ideal for food and pharmaceutical industries because they are easy to sanitize, resistant to moisture and chemicals, and do not harbor pests. They are also exempt from ISPM-15 heat treatment requirements for international shipping. We accept used plastic pallets for recycling and resale, and we maintain an inventory of popular plastic pallet models from manufacturers including Orbis, Rehrig Pacific, and Schoeller Allibert.

USA Pallet Recycle has been serving the Arizona business community from our Goodyear facility for years, building a reputation as a reliable, environmentally responsible pallet partner. Our team has decades of combined experience in the pallet industry, including manufacturing, recycling, logistics, and regulatory compliance. We have grown from a small local operation to one of the premier pallet recycling companies in the Southwest, serving hundreds of businesses ranging from small local operations to Fortune 500 distribution centers.

Absolutely. We welcome facility tours for prospective and current customers. Visiting our Goodyear location allows you to see our sorting process, repair operations, heat treatment chambers, and quality control procedures firsthand. Tours are available Monday through Friday during business hours and typically take 30 to 45 minutes. Please call or email ahead to schedule a visit so we can have a team member available to walk you through the operation. We ask that all visitors wear closed-toe shoes and follow our safety guidelines while on site.

Several factors distinguish us from competitors. First, our zero-waste commitment means every piece of material that enters our facility is put to productive use — nothing goes to the landfill. Second, we maintain ISPM-15 heat treatment certification on-site, allowing us to provide export-ready pallets without outsourcing. Third, our quality grading follows strict NWPCA standards with documented inspection at every stage. Fourth, we offer comprehensive pallet management programs that handle your entire pallet lifecycle from procurement through disposal. Fifth, our pricing is transparent with no hidden fees, and we offer volume-based pricing tiers that reward loyalty.

Pallets that are beyond economical repair are never wasted. We practice what we call total material recovery. First, the pallet is dismantled and any reusable boards or stringers are salvaged for use in repairing other pallets. This alone recovers about 40-60% of the material. The remaining wood is processed through our industrial grinder to produce several valuable byproducts: landscaping mulch (sold to nurseries and landscaping companies), animal bedding (popular with equestrian facilities and farms), biomass fuel (sold to energy producers for renewable electricity generation), and wood fiber for composite manufacturing. Even the nails and metal fasteners are collected and recycled. Our zero-waste commitment means that 100% of every pallet entering our facility is put to productive use.

Quality control is built into every stage of our operation. Incoming pallets are inspected individually by trained graders who assess structural integrity, board condition, stringer quality, fastener security, and contamination. Each pallet is sorted into the appropriate grade category. During repair, our technicians follow NWPCA repair standards — replacement boards must match or exceed original thickness, proper pallet nails are used at every joint, and stringer repairs are limited to ensure structural integrity. After repair, every pallet undergoes a final quality check before entering our sales inventory. We maintain detailed records of our inspection and grading criteria, and we welcome customer facility audits. Our quality guarantee means that if any pallet fails to meet the stated grade specifications, we replace it at no charge.

For new and custom-built pallets, yes — we can source specific wood species including Southern Yellow Pine, oak, maple, and other hardwoods or softwoods based on your requirements. Hardwoods provide greater strength and durability but are heavier and more expensive. Softwoods are lighter and more cost-effective but may not support the same load capacities. For recycled pallets, we sort by species when possible, but most recycled inventory is mixed hardwood or mixed species. If your application requires a specific species (for example, pharmaceutical or food packaging that restricts certain wood types), discuss this with our sales team and we will find the right solution.

From the moment pallets arrive at our facility, the processing timeline depends on the service requested. Standard sorting and grading takes 1-2 business days. Repair of damaged pallets typically adds 2-3 business days. Heat treatment requires 1-2 additional business days. A full processing cycle from pickup to delivery-ready inventory averages 5-7 business days. However, for recurring customers with pallet management agreements, we maintain pre-processed inventory specifically allocated for their orders, enabling same-day or next-day fulfillment of standard recycled pallets.

Yes, we maintain detailed metrics on our environmental impact and can provide reporting for your sustainability programs. For every pallet we process, we track the amount of wood diverted from landfills, the estimated CO2 emissions prevented, the water saved compared to new pallet production, and the number of trees preserved. We can provide monthly or quarterly sustainability reports for customers who need this data for corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting, ESG disclosures, or sustainability certifications. Use our online sustainability calculator to estimate your environmental impact, or contact us for a custom report.

Pallets bearing CHEP (blue), PECO (red), or other pooling company markings are handled separately. These pallets remain the property of their respective pooling companies and cannot be resold, repaired, or scrapped by third parties. When we receive pooled pallets, we set them aside and coordinate returns to the appropriate company. We do not charge for this service when the pooled pallets arrive as part of a larger recycling pickup. For pallets with generic company logos, names, or inventory markings, we can sand, paint over, or remove markings upon request for an additional per-pallet fee. This is common for customers who do not want to distribute pallets bearing a competitor brand.

Yes, we provide full pickup and delivery services throughout the greater Phoenix metropolitan area and across Arizona. Our fleet includes flatbed trucks, enclosed trailers, and semi-trucks capable of handling loads from 50 pallets to full truckloads of 500+ pallets. For recycling pickups, we can schedule one-time collections or set up recurring weekly, biweekly, or monthly pickups based on your accumulation rate. Delivery of purchased pallets is typically same-day or next-business-day within the Phoenix metro area. For locations outside the metro area, delivery is generally within 2-3 business days. Rush and same-day delivery options are available for an additional fee.

For pallet pickup and recycling services, our minimum is 50 pallets per load. This ensures efficient use of our transportation fleet and keeps per-pallet costs low for our customers. For pallet purchases (buying recycled pallets from us), our minimum order is 20 pallets for local delivery or 50 pallets for delivery beyond the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. If you have fewer than 50 pallets for recycling, we recommend accumulating them over time or coordinating with neighboring businesses. We can also discuss shared pickup schedules for smaller quantities at regular intervals.

Our turnaround time depends on the size and specifications of your order. For standard recycled GMA 48x40 pallets in Grade A or B, we maintain large inventories and can typically fulfill orders of up to 1,000 pallets within 24-48 hours. For larger orders (1,000-5,000 pallets), expect 3-5 business days. Orders exceeding 5,000 pallets or requiring specific non-standard sizes may take 5-10 business days depending on current inventory and production capacity. Heat-treated pallets add 1-2 business days for treatment and stamping. Custom-built pallets require 3-5 business days after design approval. We strongly recommend establishing a recurring delivery schedule for predictable supply — this ensures we always have your specific pallets ready when you need them.

While our primary service area is Arizona, we can arrange deliveries to neighboring states including California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado for large orders (typically 500+ pallets). For these out-of-state deliveries, we work with partner freight carriers to provide competitive shipping rates. Full truckload orders (typically 400-600 pallets depending on size) are the most cost-effective for long-distance delivery. We also ship nationwide via common carrier for specialty items such as heat-treated export pallets or custom-built pallets. Contact us with your destination and quantity for a shipping quote.

Yes, walk-in pickups are welcome at our Goodyear facility during regular business hours (Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM). If you have a truck or trailer, you can load pallets on-site. For smaller quantities that fit in a pickup truck bed, no appointment is necessary. For larger loads that require forklift loading, we ask that you call ahead so we can have your order staged and a forklift operator available. Walk-in customers also benefit from our best pricing since there are no delivery fees. We accept cash, check, and all major credit cards for walk-in purchases.